Holiday River & Bike Expeditions Heading into the San Rafael Swell in 2024

PRESS RELEASE: Holiday River & Bike Expeditions offering two launch dates for novel mountain biking adventures into the wilderness of the San Rafael Swell.

For immediate release - This season, Holiday River & Bike Expeditions is facilitating two mountain biking trips into the wild lands of the San Rafael Swell. Holiday has facilitated multi-day van-supported mountain bike trips in Canyonlands National Park and the La Sal Mountains since 1991, but this trip into central Utah’s best kept secret stands alone in its uniqueness. No other area offers the same variety of riding, plethora of ancient rock art sites, access to slot canyons, or consistently expansive views of untouched country as the Swell.

Encompassing nearly 2,000 square miles, the San Rafael Swell is the highest concentration of public lands in the state of Utah. While certainly worthy of National Park status, portions of this area are designated wilderness while other large swaths are designated National Recreation Area, keeping this incredible desert region off the radar of most travelers. A typical day may start with a jaunt through a slot canyon, then hopping on your bike to ride through breathtaking scenery, past an old homestead or uranium mine on your way to check out an archaeological site, all before setting up camp near a large rock arch.


Take in the endless, 360 degree scenery while riding past abandoned mines, cabins, arches and rock spires.


As one of the leading outfitters in the region, Holiday hangs their hat on excellent customer service from your first phone call to the office until the end of the trip and beyond. Their guides are experts in bicycle maintenance, gourmet chefs in the kitchen, and extremely knowledgeable on the region’s history, ecology, and current events. They handle all of the hard work and logistics that go into multi-day expeditions, allowing their guests to enjoy pedaling their bikes and kicking up their feet. There are always at least two guides on every trip, so while one is driving the 4x4 van with all of the gear, the other will be riding along with the group, pointing out landmarks and ensuring no one misses a turn or stopping point.

On the spring trip this season, Holiday’s guides and guests will be joined by expert astronomer Tom Beckett of Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium to lead the group through captivating stargazing sessions. Tom will bring his telescopes and tell the stories, science, and mind-boggling statistics behind our galaxy and beyond. The International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA, has designated the San Rafael Swell as a Gold-Tier IDA Dark-Sky Region, meaning there is minimal to no light pollution affecting the night sky, making it one of the best places for stargazing in the world.

For the guides at Holiday, what sets this trip apart from the others they facilitate is the ability to adapt the itinerary to the group. While other areas they operate assign campsites, limiting logistical options, the campsites in the Swell are first come first serve and there are multiple route options to choose from depending on the ability level and interests of the riders. There are also options to add single-track excursions, additional hikes, interpretive stops, and more. “Our guides are always extra excited to go out on Swell trips because of the freedom that is allotted to them in terms of the itinerary,” says veteran guide Justin Malloy. “It’s almost like a ‘choose your own adventure’ story out there. Every trip is different.”

Due to this flexibility, the San Rafael Swell makes for a great option for groups looking to charter a trip. A group of 8 or more is able to reserve the entire trip for themselves, allowing for a more private experience and authority over logistics. For a group of friends, family, or colleagues, a charter bike trip in the Swell can prove to be a one-of-a-kind bonding adventure.

All of Holiday’s trips begin and end at their headquarters northwest of Moab in the town of Green River, Utah, a mere 40 miles from the Swell.


About Holiday River & Bike Expeditions
Holiday River & Bike Expeditions was founded in 1966, when Dee Holladay and his wife Sue took the plunge to become river outfitters. As a family-owned-and-operated company, Holiday owes its exponential growth to its foundational layers of respect for the lands, rivers, guests, and its employees. Guides are professionally trained in wilderness first aid and backcountry safety. With over 55 years of experience, Holiday provides guests the opportunity to explore the nation’s wildest lands in a safe and enjoyable setting. Holiday River & Bike Expeditions remains committed to protecting the environment through education and conservation.


For more information click here.

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MENTIONS: @bikeraft

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